Augmented Reality Glasses Using Two-Photon NIR Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality glasses using optical see-through displays and near-eye displays face limitations due to one-photon vision, which restricts light wavelengths to the visible range, leading to image quality and comfort issues, as well as reduced transparency and increased brightness requirements, causing multiple deflections and scattering that diminish the real-world image.
Innovation Solution
The use of near-infrared light in the 800-1400 nm range for image generation in augmented reality glasses, employing a dichroic optical combiner that reflects or deflects NIR beams while transmitting visible light, utilizing a pulsed NIR radiation source with a high pulse repetition rate and short duration to create a two-photon vision effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If visible light (400-700 nm) is used for image generation, then the image can be perceived by the eye through normal vision, but multiple deflections and scattering from optical elements occur, decreasing image quality and increasing brightness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from visible range (400-700 nm) to near-infrared range (800-1400 nm). This parameter change allows the light to pass through optical elements with minimal scattering and absorption, reducing the number of effective deflections and maintaining image quality while reducing brightness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dichroic optical combiner with spatially selective optical properties: it is transparent to near-infrared wavelengths (800-1400 nm) while reflecting visible wavelengths. This local quality differentiation allows the NIR image generation light to pass through to the retina while blocking visible light, preventing multiple deflections and scattering that would degrade image quality.
2Loss of information
If optical waveguides are used to deflect the stimulating beam, then AR information can be delivered to the eye, but the transparency of the beam splitter decreases, making the surrounding world image significantly dimmer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source to near-infrared (800-1400 nm), which has different interaction properties with optical materials. This allows the use of a dichroic beam splitter that is transparent to NIR wavelengths, enabling AR information delivery without compromising the brightness of the surrounding world image in the visible spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dichroic optical combiner as an intermediary element that selectively transmits near-infrared light while reflecting visible light. This mediator allows the AR image generation beam to pass through to the retina while maintaining high transparency for the surrounding world image, eliminating the need for traditional beam splitters that compromise brightness.
3Loss of information
If a bright stimulus is used for information presentation, then AR information can be displayed, but the pupillary reflex increases and the system requires higher power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to near-infrared (800-1400 nm), where the human eye has different sensitivity characteristics. This allows information presentation with lower power levels because the NIR light can be delivered directly to the retina through the transparent dichroic combiner without requiring high brightness, thereby reducing power consumption and minimizing pupillary reflex.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances image sharpness and contrast by operating in a nonlinear two-photon vision mechanism, maintaining the brightness of the real-world view and making the displayed information invisible to others, with improved dynamic range and reduced pupillary reflex, thus providing better user comfort and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the optical combiner, which includes a part or parts of a dichroic material or part of the image combiner, can be mounted together with such dichroic optics, for example, a dichroic mirror, or any other optical solution that would reflect or deflect the NIR beam into the eye but transmit the visible light coming from the outside world
Implementation Method 2
the use of light in the 800-1400 nm range (NIR), as perceived by two-photon vision
Implementation Method 3
employing a pulsed NIR radiation source with a high pulse repetition rate and short duration to create a two-photon vision effect
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of light in the 800-1400 nm range (NIR), as perceived by two-photon vision, in the image generator to display AR information at the human retina. In particular the present invention discloses augmented reality glasses based on the two-photon vision comprising at least one optical combiner, which includes a part or parts of a dichroic material or part of the image combiner, can be mounted together with such dichroic optics, for example, a dichroic mirror, or any other optical solution that would reflect or deflect the NIR beam into the eye but transmit the visible light coming from the outside world, avoiding the loss of intensity for normal vision, and at least one image generator, which consists of at least one source of the NIR beam.